WO2008090571A1

WO2008090571A1 - Suitcase with an integrated transport carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2008090571A1
Application number: PCT/IS2008/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olafur Jonsson
Original assignee: Olafur Jonsson
Priority date: 2007-01-25
Filing date: 2008-01-25
Publication date: 2008-07-31

Abstract

This invention relates to a suitcase (10) with an integrated transport carrier, where the transport carrier is a board (6) that is mounted to one side of the suitcase. The position of the board may be adjusted such that a first position of the board is a position where the board lies parallel to the side of the suitcase and a second position of the board is a position where the board is perpendicular to side. Accordingly, once the board is in a first position, the portable suitcase has a function as a regular suitcase, whereas once the board is in a second position the board has a function as a transport carrier for the suitcase.

Description

P5118 PCOO 1

SUITCASE WITH AN INTEGRATED TRANSPORT CARRIER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a transportable suitcase such as a suitcase for making transportation more comfortable.

Background

Today, travelling between countries on business trips or of other purposes for one or several days is a usual thing. For such trips it is common that the passenger has several bags or suitcases. Especially for those on business trips typically the total luggage is a transportable computer and a weekender. Travelling with more than one bag, especially if the person has to walk a long distance with the bags, which is common in airport all around the world, can be unpleasant where the distance can be from few meters up to thousands of meters.

This problem has partly been solved by making suitcases and bags, which are light and easy to transport. One such type is suitcase that can be folded when it is not in use; another type is the typical wheeled suitcase, which is of crucial importance when the luggage is heavy. This does however not completely eliminate the inconvenience in carrying the suitcase, or driving them, in airports and outside of the airports when the walking distance is long.

There is therefore a need for a suitcase, that has the function as a regular suitcase, but is implemented to increase the transport comport further, especially for long walking distances with the suitcase.

Description of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide suitcase that is particularly easy to travel with, by means of integrating a transporting means into the suitcase.

Furthermore it is an object of the present invention to provide a suitcase with a integrated portable computer, wherein the suitcase has the functionality as being a supporting means for the portable computer, and thereby utilize the suitcase in a way as a computer desk. P5118 PCOO 2

According to the first aspect the invention relates to a suitcase with an integrated transport carrier comprising :

• a suitcase housing defined by at least one suitcase outer surface, • a board comprising at least one wheel arranged on the suitcase outer surface,

• means for adjusting the position of the board from a first position to a second position,

wherein in the first position the portable suitcase has a function as a regular suitcase, whereas in the second position the board has a function as a transport carrier for the suitcase.

In one embodiment the first position is a position where the board lies parallel to at least one outer surface and the second position is a position where the board is perpendicular to at least one outer surface, wherein the outer surface may in one embodiment be a rectangular surface enclosing the suitcase interior. Preferably, a handle is arranged on the suitcase, such as for carrying it, or pulling it, when the board is in first position, assuming the suitcase is provided with at least one wheel. Another function of the handle is as a steering wheel for the board and the suitcase. When the board is in a second position, the person uses the board and the suitcase as a scooter, with the handle placed on top of the suitcase as a steering. Preferably, the height of the handle is adjustable, such that it may be optimized between different persons.

In an embodiment, the suitcase comprises a portable computer integrated into the suitcase, wherein the computer is mountable to the handle. When using the computer, it is preferred that the board is clamped out in the second position and used as a supporting means for the suitcase.

The suitcase may also be provided with technical features such as electronic control for safety lock and/or means for remotely opening and closing the suitcase. It may be therefore be necessary to implement a rechargeable battery into the suitcase to run these electrical equipments. P5118 PCOO 3

In an embodiment of the present invention the suitcase, provided with an integrated transport carrier comprising the suitcase housing defined by at least one suitcase outer surface, the board comprising at least one wheel arranged on the suitcase outer surface, and means for adjusting the position of the board from a first position to a second position, is characterized in that it further comprises a rechargeable battery and that through pulling the suitcase the rotation of the suitcase wheels induce current which is used to recharge the battery.

In an embodiment of the present invention the suitcase further comprising the rechargeable battery also includes a GPS positioning device for recording the exact position of the suitcase at any time. In this embodiment the suitcase may optionally further comprise or be connected to a transceiver or a telecommunication device for sending the GPS co-ordinate to a computer or a telecommunication device such as a mobile telephone or the like.

In an embodiment of the present invention the suitcase further comprising the rechargeable battery also includes a sensor which detects if the suitcase is opened. The sensor may optionally further comprise or be connected to a transceiver or a telecommunication device for sending information to a computer or a telecommunication device such as a mobile telephone or the like, that the suitcase has been opened. Another option is that an alert signal, such as a light or sound signal is given by that case if it has been opened after the user has closed it and activated the sensor. Such a security device is more relevant now that airport security is becoming more and more of a problem with respect to terrorist attacks and un-intentional drug transport.

In an embodiment of the present invention the suitcase is provided with an information storage device for storing information regarding the owner, such as travel information, insurance matters, visas, health information and any information regarding the handling of the suitcase during travel time. This can be when important when the suitcase is opened during airport handling/transport, position of the suitcase at any time point etc. Such information storage devices can be any cards (smartcards etc), digital memory devices such as a USB device. P5118 PCOO 4

The suitcase can also comprise a sensing device to determine the distance from a receiving device carried by the owner. Thereby, the sensing device alerts the owner when the suitcase is not within a predetermined distance from the owner.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the battery included in the suitcase can be replaced by any capacitor or energy storing device, such as a super-capacitor or ultra-capacitor. Super capacitors have several advantages over conventional batteries such as having the greater capacity (storing larger quantity of energy) as well as having a fast re-charging time.

Detailed description

In the following the present invention, and in particular preferred embodiments thereof, will be described in greater details in connection with the accompanying drawings in which

Fig. 1 shows an overview of a suitcase according to the invention,

Fig. 2a and 2b is a side and a top view of the suitcase,

Fig. 3 shows another overview of the suitcase according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of the suitcase with the emphasis on side compartments, and

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the suitcase with a portable computer.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the suitcase 10, showing a board 6 in a first position arranged parallel to one side of the suitcase. When the board is in this first position the suitcase is a regular suitcase (or weekender). Shown is also a handle 3 which height is preferably adjustable, wherein the handle may be clamped into the slit 9 integrated into the top surface 1 of the suitcase 10 when it is not being used. In one embodiment the board and the suitcase are provided with two wheels 7,2, respectively. Figure 2a and 2b show one embodiment of how the board 6 is displaceable from a first position to a second position by sliding the top part of the board in Fig. 1 along a track 4 in one vertical side of the suitcase 10. An additional P5118 PCOO 5

supporting means 11 is provided between the board and the bottom part of the suitcase. In Fig. 3 the board is in the second position wherein the wheels of the board act as a rear wheel, the wheels of the suitcase 2 as a front wheel and the handle 3 as a steering wheel. In this position the suitcase and the board has a similar function as a scooter.

Opening the board from a first position to a second position described here is just one embodiment of the present invention. Other ways for doing so are inherent possible. The main feature is integrating the board and the suitcase as a single unit, where the suitcase has the function as a regular suitcase, and also as a transport carrier when the board is in the second position or as a computer desk as described earlier.

In another embodiment the suitcase is provided with one or more drawer 12 and side compartments 8 as shown in Fig. 4. The suitcase material is preferably a light and strong material such as, but not limited to titanium. In still another embodiment the suitcase can be provided with a portable computer 13 as Fig. 5 shows, which is preferably mountable to the handle. The height can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the handle 3. When the computer is not in use it coincides with the top wall of the suitcase 1 as shown in Fig. 1. An additional feature in the suitcase is a rechargeable battery, which can for example be used for electronic control for a safety lock, for the portable computer and/or a mobile phone. Opening the suitcase can be done remotely, which can for example be integrated into key. The suitcase can signalize whether it is open or locked. The battery could be recharged when the suitcase is pulled, where through the rotation of the wheel an electric current is induced (generator principle) and the battery is recharged.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the suitcase is equipped with one or more strap, such that the owner can carry the suitcase like a backpack.

In the embodiments listed above, where GPS positioning device, communication devices, processing unit or a mini-computer and sensor devices a plurality of options are possible with respect to security and location of the suitcase. A sensor connected to the locking devices of the case can detect if the case is opened. The owner can activate this feature as he has packet the suitcase. If the suitcase is opened by P5118 PCOO 6

anyone after the security function is activated the action of opening the suitcase is registered and can be reported to the owner by a communication device or a light or a sound signal. This can be obtained by sending a text message (SMS) to the owner including the time when the suitcase was opened and the position (if a GPS positioning device is present). If the suitcase is opened during transport, when the owner does not have access to it, the owner can proof that to free him/her of responsibility of something is placed in the suitcase, such as narcotics. This can further give proof to insurance companies that the suitcase was opened during transport, when the owner did not have access to it.

If the suitcase comprises a GPS positioning device and a communication device or a transceiver unit it can send text message to the owner to a mobile phone or other receiving device reporting the exact position of the suitcase at any time or at certain time intervals.

The suitcase of the present invention can further comprise a safety compartment for liquids in allowed quantities for cabin versions of the suitcase.

In another embodiment of the present invention a sensing means in one or two sides of the inner surface of the suitcase detect the weight of the items packed. Therefore, the total weight of the suitcase can be reported on the outside of the suitcase by an interface such as digital display.

The battery of the computer can support portable computers or mobile phones. The battery of the suitcase can be coupled to a plug in a car and loaded turning driving.

In one embodiment the dimension of the suitcase is height 58cm, width 35cm and depth 24cm. With this dimension the suitcase can easily be used as a hand luggage in an airplane. Other features of technical character can easily be integrated into the suitcase.

Claims

P5118 PCOO 7Claims

1. A suitcase with an integrated transport carrier comprising:

• a suitcase housing defined by at least one suitcase outer surface,

• a board comprising at least one wheel arranged on the suitcase outer surface,

2. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein in the first position the board lies parallel to at least one outer surface.

3. A suitcase according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the second position the board is perpendicular to at least one suitcase outer surface.

4. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one outer surface is rectangular.

5. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle arranged on the suitcase outer surface.

6. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle has the function as a steering wheel for the board.

7. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the handle is adjustable.

8. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a portable computer. P5118 PCOO 8

9. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the computer is mountable to the handle.

10. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the board is further adapted as a supporting means for the suitcase.

11. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one wheel on the suitcase housing.

12. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a rechargeable battery.

13. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, wherein through pulling the suitcase the rotation of the suitcase wheels induce current which is used to recharge the battery.

14. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic control for safety lock.

15. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for remotely opening and closing the suitcase.

16. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a GPS positioning device.

17. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more sensors for detecting if the case is opened.

18. A suitcase according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising telecommunication device

19. A suitcase according to claims 16-18, further comprising an operating computer or processor for communicating with or operating on or more of the GPS positioning device, the telecommunication device and the one or more sensors for detecting if the case is opened.